PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center has announced the kickoff of an important fundraising campaign to enhance cancer services in our community, along with the re-naming of the hospital's Oncology Infusion Center.
At a Dec. 6 ceremony, PeaceHealth leaders shared details of plans to expand and strengthen the hospital's cancer program, and celebrated the newly-named "Elaine and Don Heimbigner Oncology Infusion Center." The name honors Elaine Heimbigner, who lost her battle with cancer in early 2016.
"Nearly 40 percent of us will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in our lives," said Sean Gregory, Chief Executive of PeaceHealth's Columbia Network. "PeaceHealth Southwest is extremely grateful to Don Heimbigner and his family for their vision and generosity. Their $1.2 million donation is a critical first step in this campaign, which will allow us to move forward in providing the best cancer care in our growing region."
The Elaine and Don Heimbigner Oncology Infusion Center has a strong track record to build on. "Our patients experience higher-than-average five-year survival rates," said Lance Welch, Director of Cancer Services at PeaceHealth Southwest. "Beyond great results, we are also pleased that our patients give us outstanding satisfaction scores."
The Heimbigner contribution is the first major gift to PeaceHealth Southwest's recently launched $10 million Cancer Care Campaign. The campaign will:
* Raise funds to renovate the hospital's inpatient cancer unit on the third floor of the hospital's Mother Joseph building.
* Create a charity fund to assist cancer patients with treatment-related expenses.
* Co-locate the Heimbigner Oncology Infusion Center with the Oncology Radiation Center.
The Cancer Care Campaign is chaired by longtime PeaceHealth supporter and volunteer Ron Prill. For more information about the Campaign, contact Dawn Johnston in the PeaceHealth Southwest Foundation at 360-514-3656, or via email at djohnston@peacehealth.org.
About PeaceHealth Cancer Services:
PeaceHealth Southwest provides a fully integrated oncology services program, including medical, infusion and radiation cancer care.
About PeaceHealth Southwest
The region's health care leader and steward for 155 years, PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center is a community-owned, not-for-profit, 450-bed, medical institution located in Vancouver, Washington. Repeatedly recognized nationally as a 100 Top Hospital, PeaceHealth Southwest provides a full range of outpatient and inpatient diagnostic, medical, and surgical services to Clark County residents. PeaceHealth Southwest is also one of Clark County's largest employers with 3,400 employees and 600 active medical staff members that help support dozens of medical specialty services and programs, including cancer, heart, emergency, trauma, neuro-musculoskeletal, family birth, and primary care. For more information visit http://www.peacehealth.org/southwest.